Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha K V Singh Deo on Thursday met former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, who is the Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, in New Delhi.
During the meeting, a tripartite Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between the Energy Department of the Government of Odisha, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, and the Tony Blair Institute, an official statement said.
The LoI aims to establish a community of practice for Energy Ministers from various Indian states, with Odisha taking the lead. A conference of State Energy Ministers will be held in Odisha later this year. Tony Blair praised Odisha’s pioneering efforts in electricity reforms and its recent progress in attracting investments in the renewable energy sector.
The collaboration focuses on accelerating sustainable energy solutions and achieving a low-carbon future.
The Deputy CM highlighted Odisha’s commitment to net-zero emissions and adopting international best practices. The meeting also discussed distress migration from western Odisha.
The Tony Blair Institute has previously supported Odisha in developing its Artificial Intelligence Policy, which has received cabinet approval. The Institute’s Country Director for India, Vivek Agarwal, welcomed Odisha’s leadership in energy and technology, highlighting the significance of the Energy Ministers’ Community of Practice.
